Euronews: Fears of a third intifada grow

Fears of a third intifada grow

Palestinian and Israeli security forces have clashed in East Jerusalem as fears grow that a third intifada is on the verge of breaking out.

Earlier a senior Palestinian politician warned of a new uprising as Israeli troops tried to contain growing Arab resentment, described by some Hamas officials as a ‘day of rage’.

The US’ Middle East envoy George Mitchell has postponed a planned visit to the region.

Security remains tight with Israeli forces sealing off the centre of Jerusalem to large numbers of Palestinians.

The main issues centre on the Jewish consecration of a synagogue in the heart of the ancient city and anger over new settlements.

Many Palestinians see the religious building’s reopening as a wider project by Jews to build in the area of the Al Aqsa Mosque – one of the most important sites in Islam.

Blown up by Jordanian forces in 1948 the Hurva synagogue was formally inaugurated in a ceremony yesterday.

The violence comes amid a growing row between Washington and Israel over last week’s decision to build 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem.

The announcement, during a visit of US Vice-president Joe Biden aimed at restarting indirect peace talks, was seen by the White House as a clear snub.

Biden demanded Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu scrap the settlements, something he has so far refused to do.

Source: Euronews